Screen cleaning device with bifurcated microfiber fingers

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a screen cleaning device, comprising first and second finger pads each having a closed-end and an open end opposite thereto sized to receive a finger of a user. The finger pads are made of a fabric suitable for cleaning display screens, preferably a microfiber. No sprays or cleaners are required. A lanyard connects the first and second finger pads. A quick-release clasp may be secured to the lanyard to provide additional storage options. A protective sleeve made of stretchable fabric may be attached to one of the finger pads and into which both of the finger pads can be stored. The protective sleeve is may be sewn to an inner lining of one of the finger pads so as to be concealed therein when not in use, or sewn to an exterior of one of the finger pads.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/129,442, filed Mar. 6, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable display-cleaning device and,in particular, to a display-cleaning device having bifurcated fingerreceptacles joined by an elastic strap.

BACKGROUND

Various display-cleaning mitts are available on the market, includingthose seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,127, U.S. Pat. No. 7,507,047,US20030217425, US20140130280, and sold under the name FUZZY FINGERdusting mitt or similar names, as on various websites, such ashttp://www.thefind.com/office/info-fuzzy-fingers-microfiber-duster andhttp://www.containerstore.com/shop/cleaning/dusters!productId=10026230.These products typically include a pad in which one or more fingers areinserted to enable dusting of a small surface such as a cell phone.

Despite certain products available in this area, there remains a needfor a more convenient solution for wiping small display screens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A screen cleaning device, comprising first and second finger pads eachhaving a closed-end and an open end opposite thereto sized to receive afinger of a user. The finger pads are made of a fabric suitable forcleaning display screens, preferably a microfiber. A lanyard connectsthe first and second finger pads. The lanyard is elastic and desirablyabout 4 inches in length. Each finger pad is preferably about 3″ high by1.5″ wide to receive fingers of a user. No sprays or cleaners arerequired. A quick-release clasp may be secured to the lanyard to provideadditional storage options.

A protective sleeve made of stretchable fabric may be attached to one ofthe finger pads and into which both of the finger pads can be stored.The protective sleeve is may be sewn to an inner lining of one of thefinger pads so as to be concealed therein when not in use, or sewn to anexterior of one of the finger pads. Advertising information may beprinted on an exterior of at least one of the finger pads.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bifurcated screen cleaning device of thepresent application having bifurcated cleaning finger pads connected bya lanyard;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cleaning device showing a hook accessoryattached to a strap that connects the bifurcated cleaning finger pads;

FIG. 3A is a plan view of the cleaning device disclosed herein enclosedwithin an attached stretchable fabric sleeve, and FIG. 3B shows thecleaning device of FIG. 3A after inverting bifurcated finger pads fromwithin the fabric sleeve for use; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the cleaningdevice having a stretchable fabric sleeve sewn to an inner lining of oneof the bifurcated finger pads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application provides an improved display-cleaning devicewhich is easy to use, easy access and easy to store.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary screen cleaning device 20 having bifurcatedfinger pads 22, 24. Each of the finger pads 22, 24 comprises a roundedclosed-end 26 and a relatively straight open end 28. The finger pads 22,24 are made of a fabric suitable for cleaning display screens, andpreferably made of a high quality microfiber fabric. One exemplaryfabric is a plush nap microfiber having 80% polyester and 20% polymide.

In a preferred embodiment the finger pads 22, 24 are approximately 3″high (or deep) by 1.5″ wide, though the dimensions may vary fordifferent sized fingers. The closed bottom end 26 where a finger insertswould be detailed with a hemmed stitch and also preferably embroideredwith a commercial logo. The two finger pads 22, 24 are attached togetherby a 4 inch strap, tether or lanyard 32, preferably attached such as bybeing sewn at adjacent corners 34 of the finger pads 22, 24. The outersurface area of the lanyard 32 could be a solid color, pattern, or maybe used to print business information for advertising purposes. Thelanyard 32 is desirably about 1/8 inch wide and 4 inches in length andpreferably formed of an elastic fabric material. The finger pads 22, 24and lanyard 32 may be provided in a variety of colors and or dye printedwith various prints and patterns.

FIG. 2 shows connected to the lanyard a small 1″ long plastic or metalquick-release clasp 36 making the device 20 easy to attach to a varietyof rings, loops, holes, etc. For instance, a loop 38 of the lanyard 32may be passed through a ring (not shown) on the bottom end of the clasp36 and then the hook passed through the loop so as to capture it, asshown.

The bifurcated microfiber finger pads 22, 24 are easy to use; one needonly insert the forefinger and middle finger (typically) into respectivefinger pads. The stretchable lanyard 32 provides a simple means ofstoring the device 20, such as by hanging it over a hook (not shown) orvia the clasp 36. Furthermore, the stretchable band lanyard 32 connectedto a quick-release clasp 36 facilitates storage on purses, key rings,belt loops, and the like. Furthermore, the ability to use the lanyardand device for business advertisement in a relatively inexpensiveproduct is highly desirable.

FIG. 3A shows an alternative cleaning device 40 enclosed within anattached stretchable fabric sleeve 42, while FIG. 3B shows the deviceafter inverting bifurcated finger pads 44 from within the fabric sleevefor use. The stretchable sleeve 42 provides easy storage and conveniencefor the two finger pads 44, which remained connected by a lanyard 46.The sleeve 42 may be made of various stretch fabrics and attaches to theoutside of one of the figure pads 44 using a circumferential seam 48approximately midway down the length of the finger pad, as seen in FIG.3B. The stretchable sleeve 42 easily folds over the figure pads 44creating a nifty clean storage pouch. When the figure pads 44 areseparated, an open end of the stretchable sleeve 42 lies aligned withthe open end of the figure pad 44 to which it is attached.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the cleaningdevice 50 having a stretchable fabric sleeve 52 sewn to an inner liningof one of the bifurcated finger pads 54. The use of a hidden pouch orsleeve 52 that folds inside the finger pad 54 permits the user toconcealed the sleeve inside the finger pad when not in use to reduce thechance of snagging the sleeve on anything.

Packaging would be a 3″ by 5″ sealed plastic bag and secured in a heavypaper stock 6″ by 3″ folded in half with logo and pertinent productinformation printed on it.

Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown shouldbe considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus andprocedures disclosed or claimed.

It is claimed:
 1. A screen cleaning device, comprising: a) a firstfinger pad having a closed-end and an open end opposite thereto sized toreceive a finger of a user, the first finger pad being made of a fabricsuitable for cleaning display screens; b) a second finger pad having aclosed-end and an open end opposite thereto sized to receive a finger ofa user, the second finger pad being made of a fabric suitable forcleaning display screens; and c) a lanyard connecting the first andsecond finger pads.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the lanyard iselastic.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the lanyard is about 4 inchesin length.
 4. The device of claim 1, further including a quick-releaseclasp secured to the lanyard.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein thefabric comprises a microfiber.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein eachfinger pad is about 3″ high by 1.5″ wide.
 7. The device of claim 1,further including a protective sleeve made of stretchable fabricattached to one of the finger pads and into which both of the fingerpads can be stored.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the protectivesleeve is sewn to an inner lining of one of the finger pads so as to beconcealed therein when not in use.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein theprotective sleeve is sewn to an exterior of one of the finger pads. 10.The device of claim 1, further including advertising information printedon an exterior of at least one of the finger pads.
 11. A screen cleaningdevice, comprising: a) a first finger pad having a closed-end and anopen end opposite thereto sized to receive a finger of a user, the firstfinger pad being made of a fabric suitable for cleaning display screens;b) a second finger pad having a closed-end and an open end oppositethereto sized to receive a finger of a user, the second finger pad beingmade of a fabric suitable for cleaning display screens; c) a lanyardconnecting the first and second finger pads; and d) a protective sleeveattached to one of the finger pads and into which both of the fingerpads can be stored.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the lanyard iselastic.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the lanyard is about 4inches in length.
 14. The device of claim 11, further including aquick-release clasp secured to the lanyard.
 15. The device of claim 11,wherein the fabric comprises a microfiber.
 16. The device of claim 11,wherein each finger pad is about 3″ high by 1.5″ wide.
 17. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the protective sleeve is made of stretchable fabric.18. The device of claim 11, wherein the protective sleeve is sewn to aninner lining of one of the finger pads so as to be concealed thereinwhen not in use.
 19. The device of claim 11, wherein the protectivesleeve is sewn to an exterior of one of the finger pads.
 20. The deviceof claim 11, further including advertising information printed on anexterior of at least one of the finger pads.